Why It Doesn't Really Matter If Men Had Periods

The hashtag #IfMenHadPeriods is trending on Twitter today. It started as a semi-political "What If?" scenario, and then it developed into a sexiststereotypebattle that essentially pitted men and women against each other. Finally, it evolved to reflect the non-inclusivity of the hashtag, as some people—mainly transgender men—don't neatly fit into the "only women have periods" narrative. So, in a day, #IfMenHadPeriods went from mildly thoughtful to troll-ish to woke. So it goes on Twitter.

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In light of #IfMenHadPeriods, let's keep a few things in mind. First, (most) men don't have periods, and hypothetical arguments don't get us very far. Dealing with reality is far more constructive. Second, making jokes about a woman's emotions during her menstrual cycle is dumb, tired, and boring. Third, gender equality won't be solved by wishing a biological process on half the population. It might be solved by an equally split presidential cabinet, or equal wages, or better maternity support.

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Anyway. These tweets try to capture the good intentions of the hashtag:

#IfMenHadPeriods tampons, pads, and birth control would be free and given out freely tbh